Bø Sommarland
Bø Sommarland is one of Europe's biggest water parks, situated in Bø in Telemark, Norway. Bø Sommarland is located two hours from Oslo. It is owned by Parques Reunidos, who also owns Tusenfryd, another amusement park in Norway. Every summer around 200,000 people visit Bø Sommarland, which makes the park one of Norway's biggest tourist attractions. The park opening season is normally from beginning of June to the middle of August.
 | |
| Location | Bø, Norway |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 59°26′51″N 9°04′24″E |
| Owner | Parques Reunidos |
| Opened | 1985 |
History
Bø Sommarland opened on 27 June 1985 as Telemark Sommarland. It was local forces that developed the park in the "Middle of nowhere".
| Season | Number of visitors | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 109 000 | 23 June Telemark Sommarland is officially open, Norway biggest amusement park |
| 1986 | 148 214 | Magasuget and a pool for children is ready. Norwegian television transmits several TV broadcasts from the park |
| 1987 | 155 359 | Several famous Norwegian artists perform in the park |
| 1988 | 115 000 | Number of visitors are very low, raining all summer. Sea monster Sjur and Sætra are new attractions. |
| 1989 | 130 000 | First Sommarland Cup in handball |
| 1990 | 141 000 | Hompetitten are the new attraction, last season with show in the Western City. |
| 1991 | 175 600 | Expansion of the children's pool in Vannland. |
| 1992 | 182 800 | A play hall called "Las Bøgas" from "Las Vegas" is built and Norwegian Championship in pinball games are held. |
| 1993 | 242 860 | Flow Rider, the world's largest artificial waves opens |
| 1994 | 248 860 | Bø Sommarland gets its first webpage |
| 1995 | 232 240 | Bø Sommarland celebrates 10 years |
| 1996 | 203 056 | |
| 1997 | 248 672 | "Mot i Brøstet" are the new attractions and the Western City is transformed into Tivoli Town. World-known surfers like Tony Hawks and Terje Håkonsen are visiting the park to surf in Flow Rider. |
| 1998 | 177 535 | |
| 1999 | 209 355 | Terje Håkonsen together with other celebrities are attending Swatch Wave Tour Bø- San Diego- Dubai |
| 2000 | 171 897 | Sommarland is celebrating 15 year anniversary. Sentrifuga and Space Ball are new attraction. |
| 2001 | 208 785 | Bøverstranden, a big water pool is ready this season |
| 2002 | 205 011 | Toy Castle Maurtua in Leikeland og beach volley |
| 2003 | 198 500 | Bad weather causes flooding in the park. New arrangements of music-festival in the park |
| 2004 | 220 833 | Half pipe is the new attraction, and a new record number visit the park with over 10,000 visitors in one day. |
| 2005 | 178 000 | Norwegian championship in Olabil and the park celebrate 20 year anniversary. |
| 2006 | 205 000 | Jettegryta is the new attraction. Parques Reunidos are the new owner of Bø Sommarland |
| 2007 | 141 000 | Splash is the new attraction |
| 2008 | 165 000 | New management |
| 2009 | 149 511 | Upgrading the catering and several attractions in the park. |
| 2010 | 152 408 | Vassføyka is the new attraction |
| 2011 | 116 540 | Upgrading of mini golf, Tacky Summer Invitational is a big event and a Guinness record attempt in the park with Andreas Wahl, which holds the world's largest science class. |
| 2012 | 95 900 | |
| 2013 | 129 000 | Trippeltrakta is the new attraction |
Attractions in the park
Jettegryta (2006)
Jettegryta, "Pothole", is one of the biggest slides in Bø Summerland. Two and two are sitting in a boat starting at high speed through a tube before they enter an open pan. Slide is over 100 meters long and has a fall of more than 16 meters.
Half pipe (2004)
The Half pipe is one of Europe's biggest half pipes in water with a height difference of 19 meters.
Flow Rider (1994)
Flow Rider is the world's largest artificial surf wave. The artificial surf wave is related to Summerland river where it every hour a wave is released.
Mot i Brøstet (1997)
Mot i Brøstet was the world first roller coaster in water when it was built in 1997. Today it is Europe's biggest water roller coaster.
Magasuget (1986)
Magasuget is a ride that starts 26 meters over the ground with freefall of 9 meters.
Leikeland
Leikeland is the playground for children. You will find climbing castles, electric cars, fairytale houses, slides, jumping castles, mini golf and other dry attraction for children.
References
- Kleppen, Halvor. 2005. Våte, Ville Sommarland.